Andrea Doria sinking
The sinking of the Andrea Doria was a significant maritime disaster that occurred on July 25, 1956, when the luxury Italian ocean liner collided with the MS Stockholm in thick fog off the coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts. The accident resulted in the Andrea Doria listing dangerously to starboard, prompting the captain to order an evacuation of the ship. Despite the quick response from nearby vessels, including the Île de France and the damaged Stockholm, 46 of the 1,706 passengers and crew aboard the Andrea Doria tragically lost their lives. The dramatic nature of the event captivated the American public, with many following the unfolding rescue efforts on live television. Ultimately, the Andrea Doria sank to a depth of 225 feet by the morning of July 26. This incident marked a turning point in maritime history, contributing to a decline in the transatlantic passenger ship era and highlighting the evolving role of television in broadcasting major news events. The tragedy remains a poignant reminder of the perils of sea travel and the impact of unforeseen circumstances.
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Andrea Doria sinking
The Event Sinking of famed Italian ocean liner Andrea Doria
Date July 26, 1956
Place Atlantic Ocean, southwest of Nantucket, Massachusetts
The sinking of the Andrea Doria involved the greatest sea rescue ever covered by American print media and television broadcasters.Andrea Doria sinking[Andrea Doria sinking]>
The end of World War II soon brought unparalleled affluence to the United States and Western Europe. By the mid-1950’s, this prosperity included significant growth in transatlantic passenger liner voyages. Among the most famous of these liners was the Andrea Doria, an Italian ship noted for opulent luxury and the safety of its modern design. No one expected that this grand ship’s marriage of style and safety would end in a fatal collision.
During the late fog-covered evening of July 25, 1956, the bow of the Stockholm ripped into the starboard hull of the Andrea Doria. The Italian liner began to list rapidly to starboard. Realizing the Andrea Doria was doomed, its captain ordered an evacuation. A flotilla of boats, which included the Île de France and the damaged Stockholm, helped rescue all but 46 of the Andrea Doria’s 1,706 passengers and crew. The sea tragedy was so dramatic that Americans sat riveted to their television sets until finally, at 10:09 a.m., July 26, the once-graceful liner sank to a depth of 225 feet.
Impact
The sinking of the Andrea Doria contributed to a decline of the great age of transatlantic passenger ships and inaugurated American television’s leading role in covering the decade’s most sensational events.
Bibliography
Goldstein, Richard. Desperate Hours: The Epic Rescue of the Andrea Doria. New York: Wiley, 2001. Along with a technical explanation of the sinking of the Andrea Doria, the author presents an account of the human drama behind the sea rescue.
Moscow, Alvin. Collision Course: The Andrea Doria and the Stockholm. Reprint. New York: Putnam, 1988. This work offers an objective and thorough analysis of the sinking of the Andrea Doria.